A sailor's life

Exhausting routine punctuated by moment of terror. This was the life on a British man-of-war during the Napoleonic War. The new Russell Crowe movie, "Master and Commander," gives a glimse into a world where a life centered around a narrow area between two 12-pound guns where you strung your canvas hammock and ate from a table suspended from the crossbeams.

Note: All salaries are from 1793 records

The crew

Although the Royal Navy was the envy of most European countries it was constantly operating with a short supply of manpower. The majority of the crew members were enticed by enlistment bonuses and the promise of prize money. The remainder were captured foriegn sailors, men from debtors prisons and a small number of individuals brought in by press gangs.

Daily life

Life aboard a man-of-war was usually monotonous drudger. The day began at dawn with battle stations drill and ended the same way. The time in between was taken up with adjusting sails and rigging to reduce wear, cleaning the ship (decks, metal, etc.) and manning watches, looking after livestock. Junior officers took sighting for ships navigation.

Actual crews could go months without experiencing any type of combat.

Swimming

Few sailors in the 18th century Royal Navy ever learned to swim.

Landsman

Unskilled seaman, performed meanial deck duties,haul ropes, manned bilge pumps and attended to livestock.

Annual salary: £10.60

Able seaman

Could perform any job on board including manning the helm, artillery duty, making sails and taking depth measurements.

Annual salary: £14

Officers

Petty officers (NCOs)

Supervised the crew and oversaw the artillery batteries. These men included skilled professions that were vital to running the ship (caulker, sail maker, cooper and carpenter) Petty officers had a reputation of being spies for the captain. The Bosun's mate was a petty officer (in charge of keeping order on board and administering punishment). Petty officers were appointed by the captain.

Annual salary: £20-27

Lieutenant

A lieutenant had to be at least 20 with six years at sea. All vessels had a least one and some as many as six.He may be put in command of a smaller vessel. All appointments of lieutenant and above were made by the Admiralty. Unless well connected or distinguished in action a lieutenant could remain his rank for his entire career.

Annual salary: £100

Marine

Marines usually made up 20 percent of the total crew. Their role was to act as snipers, participate in board parties and shore operations and be a deterrent against mutinies. Marines were loooked upon as as lazy and therefore scorned by the rest of the crew.

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